A FUNERAL directors in Haslemere has raised £90 for the local branch of the Royal British Legion by holding a raffle for one the famous ceramic poppies that formed part of last year’s moving display in London.

Co-operative Funeralcare in Wey Hill arranged a window display with the poppy taking pride of place in the run up to Remembrance Day last month and the lucky winner of the charity raffle was Melanie Burnett, from Haslemere.

Melanie, who was presented with her poppy by funeral arranger Hazel Hawkswell last week, said: “I didn’t go to see the Tower of London display last year as I couldn’t get the time off. But now I have a lovely ceramic poppy of my own.”

The poppy had particular poignance, she said, because three generations of men in her family had served in the military, including in both world wars.

Ms Hawkswell said: “We were so pleased to be able to give members of the community the opportunity to see and win one of the wonderful Tower of London poppies.”

Co-op funeral homes in Farnham and Cranleigh also had their own ceramic poppies, and separate raffles at each went to their own British Legion branches, adding to the hundreds of pounds already raised.

‘Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red’ – designed by Tom Piper – attracted more than five million visitors to The Tower of London, to see the 888,246 ceramic poppies created by artist Paul Cummins, commemorating the First World War centenary, in 2014.

• A new record was set for Haslemere and villages with collections for this year’s Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal raising £25,700.

It was a high note for Michael Barnes, Poppy Appeal organiser for Haslemere, Grayswood, Critchmere and Shottermill, who is retiring after 12 years in the role.